Skidmore College announces Stewart’s Signature Series 2019

A Lineup of Premier Performances Celebrating Women in the Arts

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College announces the Stewart’s Signature Series 2019. For the third year, the world-class music and arts performances will be held this spring and summer on the Skidmore campus and are made possible through a generous grant from Stewart’s Shops and the Dake family.

“Stewart’s and the Dake family are committed to supporting the dynamic and creative relationship between Skidmore College and the greater Saratoga Springs community with a series of unique music and arts events,” says Susan Law Dake, a member of the Skidmore College Class of 1971 and president of the Stewart’s Foundation. “Following two successful seasons, this year’s lineup will feature something for everyone.”

Chairman of Stewart’s Shops Inc. William (Bill) Dake added, “It is our hope that the Stewart’s Signature Series will continue to be an important part of the summer experience in Saratoga Springs.”

The theme for this year’s series is “Celebrate Women in the Arts” and the lineup includes:

Bria Skonberg
Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m.
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Tickets: $25 General Admission</strong>
New York-based Canadian singer, trumpeter and songwriter Bria Skonberg has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” by the Wall Street Journal. Recognized as one of 25 for the Future by DownBeat Magazine, Skonberg has been a force in the new generation with her bold horn melodies and smoky vocals, and adventurous concoctions of classic and new. Skonberg is not a stranger to Saratoga Springs — she wowed the crowd at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center June 2018 fundraiser “A Night On Bourbon Street” at the Canfield Casino. Saratoga Performing Arts Center is a promotional and community partner for the event.

Cherish the Ladies
Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m.
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Tickets: $35 General Admission, $65 Premium Ticket (includes premier reserved seating and a meet and greet with the artists at Caffe Lena at 11:30 a.m.)
Under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden — named one of the Top 25 most influential Irish Americans of the past quarter century by The Irish Voice Newspaper — these ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing. Their continued success as one of the top Celtic groups in the world is due to the ensemble’s ability to take the best of Irish traditional music and dance and put it forth in an immensely entertaining show.

Streb Extreme Action
Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
The Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery
Free and open to the public, no tickets required.
The Streb Extreme Action Company, founded by choreographer and past MacArthur “Genius” Award-winner Elizabeth Streb, is known for physically demanding performances that combine virtuosity, technical skill and popular appeal. Witness this company defy gravity in feats of extreme action at the Tang Museum. Elizabeth Streb is the resident choreographer at Skidmore’s Summer Dance Workshop and the subject of a Tang Museum exhibition curated by Dayton Director Ian Berry. The Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery is a partner for the event.

Sylvia Cuenca Quintet
Tuesday, July 9 at 8 p.m.
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Tickets (available soon): $8 Adults, $5 Seniors, free for students and children
Drummer Sylvia Cuenca has been sharing the bandstand with jazz legends for years. She has toured extensively with jazz greats Clark Terry and Joe Henderson among others as she mixes “rhythmic righteousness.” Her all-star quintet features Freddie Hendrix (trumpet), Ralph Bowen (saxophone), Gerald Gold (organ) and Paul Bollenback (guitar). The Skidmore Jazz Institute is a partner for the event.

Literary readings with Margo Jefferson and Peg Boyers
Monday, July 15 at 8 p.m.
Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall
FREE and open to the public, no tickets required.
Margo Jefferson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and author of the memoir “Negroland,” joins poet Peg Boyers, executive editor of Salmagundi magazine and author of the poetry collection “To Forget Venice,” as they read from their latest works. The New York State Summer Writers Institute is a partner for the event.